Multicultural children and families
Resources to help children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds access and thrive in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
The department is committed to giving every child in NSW the best start to life and learning. Recognising and celebrating cultural identity and home languages helps children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to feel valued, safe and supported in their learning journey.
This page includes resources that will help families and educators make sure children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can thrive in ECEC settings.
Getting started with early childhood education and care (ECEC)
In the first 5 years of life, a child learns faster than at any other time. Early childhood education teaches children aged 0 to 5 about themselves and the world through play-based learning. Educators work together with families and children to create a sense of belonging, safety and inclusion.
These resources will help families navigate ECEC settings.
- Translated resources
- Welcome to preschool (translated into 35 languages)
- Choosing a quality service
- Available in العربية, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, 简体中文, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt
- Available in العربية, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, 简体中文, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt
- Getting ready for preschool guide
- Available in العربية, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, 简体中文, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt
- Getting ready animations
- Available in العربية, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, 简体中文, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt
- ACECQA’s Starting Blocks
- Available in العربية, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, 简体中文, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국인, हिन्दी
- Feedback and complaints about an ECEC Service
Supporting your child’s development
Quality ECEC will give your child a strong start in life and learning, by encouraging social, emotional, and physical development.
Your culture, language, and traditions are an important part of your child’s learning journey in the early years.
The Brighter Beginnings Parent and Carer Information Hub has resources to help families from pregnancy to age 5. The information is translated into 15 languages.
- Brighter Beginnings Information Hub
- Reading with your child at home (translated into 35 languages)
- Information about learning outcomes (translated into 15 languages)
- Translated animations for learning through play
- Translated animations for learning through everyday routines
- Translated animations for a strong start to school
- Information about learning outcomes (translated into 15 languages)
- AEDC family awareness video
Resources for educators and services
Including family connections, cultural identities and home languages in your teaching practice helps children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to thrive in ECEC settings.
Resources are available to help educators incorporate inclusive practices for multicultural communities and children. These resources directly contribute to meeting the ‘Respect for diversity’ principle within the Early Years Learning Framework 2.0, and Quality Areas 1, 5, and 6 of the National Quality Standard.
The Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework has also been developed to support ECEC providers to offer education and care services that are culturally responsive, safe and welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families
- Ethnic Community Services Limited hub is designed to build the cultural responsiveness of educators.
- Commonwealth-funded services can access the Inclusion Support Program (ISP) Innovative Solutions.
- Information on translations and interpretations (for public preschools only)
- English as an additional language or dialect resources
- Professional learning about meeting the needs of EAL/D students.